Service Level Agreement 2025-2026 – Southampton Maintained Schools – Library Services – Secondary Academies
SLA
Introduction
Southampton Schools Library Service provides a range of services for all academies subscribing to the service including:
- Loan facilities
- Advisory services
- Practical work with academies to improve their libraries – we can offer a ‘refresh’ of academy library by offering a total or partial update of book stock and work with academies to ensure quality, and relevance of books including academy’s own book stock
- An annual report of services provided to each academy on request
- Reader development support, guidance may be given for Book Weeks and Author events
- Online Bookshop with negotiated discount via our book suppliers
- A regular newsletter
Service options
Loan Facilities (Core)
A comprehensive range of professionally selected books and materials is provided to enhance the learning resources of the academy and promote reading for pleasure in academy.
A commitment to provide appropriate books that are reflective of diversity and inclusion in academy.
eBooks and materials can be accessed from the School Library Service digital library platform provided by ePlatform.
Secondary Academies are loaned two books per pupil. A minimum of 350 books is provided to all academies regardless of size. The allocations are based on the OctoberPLASC returns.
Each academy is entitled to unlimited books exchanges to update their stock.
Exchanges can take place by appointment at the School Library Service Centre.
Materials can be collected or delivered to the academy by prior arrangement with the School Library Service Centre.
We can purchase and provide academies with class sets of books for teaching purposes (at the discretion of the SLS and based on individual requests).
Reading sets are available to support Guided Reading and Book Groups within academy, additionally we will purchase on request (at the discretion of the SLS).
We can provide a bespoke stock selection and delivery service for academies - we can act as ‘personal shoppers’ if required by academy.
Large format books are stocked for whole class teaching.
We can support Accelerated Reader (AR) by providing shelf ready stock with AR stickers.
All academies can access the SLS online catalogue via an individual academypersonal account. Reservations can be made via the catalogue or by email request direct from teaching staff.
Materials can be collected from the School Library Service Centre (based at the Civic Centre) or delivered by prior arrangement.
We provide an enquiry/request service by phone or email to all academies during term-time.
Braille picture books are available to loan for use within the academy.
We have large print material and can purchase on request.
A comprehensive EAL language collection is available.
Loan Facilities (optional)
Extra paperback books, above the SLA allocation, can be arranged at a cost of £3.60 per item.
Advisory Services – (Core)
The School Library Service provides an advisory service on all matters concerning library and book related matters. These services include (subject to availability):
- Ofsted support. (pre and post)
- Curriculum support
- Support for resource selection
- Support for stock maintenance
- Library layout and design
- Advice and practical work concerning the relocation of the school library
- Library Management systems
- Book promotion to staff and pupils
- Current trends in publishing
Advisory Services – (Optional)
- Input and advice at Parents’ Evenings and Open Days. This will be charged at £55 per hour
- Author and storyteller visits by arrangement. This would involve individual costs charged separately
- Participation in reader development activities including shadowing local and national book awards.
ICT Support
The SLS will support the use of library management systems and can offer advice on purchasing.
Training and Development
We can offer bespoke sessions to teaching staff dependent on academy requirements and through mutual agreement with SLS librarians.
Academies which do not subscribe to the service
There would be no buy-back arrangements. Academies would not receive the services provided by the Schools Library Service including book stock, existing stock would be returned to the SLS. Should there be a difference in the actual number of items returned to the SLS and the amount of stock on loan to the academy, a replacement charge of £8 per item will be made for any losses over 5% of the total stock on loan tothe academy. Training courses would be offered with a specific rate for non-subscribers.
Academies which merge during the period covered by this SLA
Where an academy buys back from the council’s School Library Service but then subsequently merges with another school/academy during the financial year and one library remains instead of two, a pro-rata refund will be paid to the school/academy with the closing library. If the merger does not lead to the closure or reduction in the number of libraries the funding basis will be unchanged. If this proposal causes concerns, please contact the School Library Service to discuss the matter.
Force Majeure
There may be events where certain circumstances may arise which are beyond the control of the School Library Service which make performance inadvisable, commercially impracticable, illegal, or impossible. Elements of the provision detailed in the service level agreement may be temporarily suspended. Events might include acts of state or governmental action prohibiting or impeding any party from performing its respective obligations under the service level agreement. In such cases the School Library Service would inform subscribing schools and academies immediately of any issues affecting provision of services and seek to resume provision once practical and legally permitted.
Information Sharing
The ebook service is provided to schools through a third-party provider. In utilising this service, the school will be required to provide the following details to the School Library Service:
- Username
- Password
- Year Group
This will enable students to access the ebooks via the third-party platform. As this data will constitute personal data, and the school will be the Data Controller for this data, the school must be satisfied that there is a legal basis for sharing this data with the School Library Service, and that the sharing is compliant with the data protection principles.
The School Library Service agrees to only process this data for the purposes of providing the ebook service and shall ensure that the data is kept secure and confidential at all times.
Once the School Library Service has uploaded the data to the ebook provider, the copy held is deleted.
Pricing
Secondary Academy annual charge - £2,054.27 plus £4.40 per pupil.
Service contacts and performance review
Any queries, concerns or complaints about the overall operation of the scheme should be addressed to:
Siobhan McGarrigle
Reading, Young People and Area Manager
Direct line: 023 8083 2595
Email: sls@southampton.gov.uk
